Automatic seal-control blow-out preventer



April 23, 1929- c. A.'RAsMUssl-:N ET AL 1,709,949

AUTOMATIC SEAL CONTROL BLOW-OUT PREVENTER l Filed 001'.. l1, 1927 5Sheets-Sheet April 23,v 1929.- c. A. RAsMUssEN 'AL l 1,709,949

AUTOMATIC SEAL CONTROL BLOW-OUT PREVENTEH Filed Oct. l1, 1927 5Sheets-Sheet 2 f roes (Heir/Ye Qns/wsse" Arron/Pv April 23 1929- c. A.RAsMussN xr Al. 1,709,949

AUTOMATIC SEAL CONTROL BLOW-OUT PREVENTER l Filed oct. 11, 1927 5sheets-sheet 4 TToelE-y April 23, 1929. c. A. RASMuss'EN Er AL 1,709,949

AUTOMATIC SEAL CONTROL BLOW-OUT `1:REVEVTER Filed oct. 11, 1927 5sheets-sheet 5 Patented Apr. 23, 1929.

CHESTER A. IRASMUSSEN, F LONG BEACH. AND WILLIAM A. TROUT, oF LosANGELES,

CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMATIC SEAL-CONTROL BLOW-OUT IPREVENTER.

Application led October 11, 1927. Serial No. 225,430.

Our invention relates to the deep well drilling art and particularly topacking devices employed in that art.

Frequently, in drilling deep wells for oil, pockets of gas in which thegas is stored up at an exceedingly high pressure are bored into so thatthis gas flows upward through the well. The presence of this gas aboutthe upperend of the well where the Workmen are employed is a constantdanger. However, the high pressure at which this gas flows makes itexceedingly difficult to prevent its escape from the upper end of thewell during drilling operations, such as drilling, or running casing.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide a blow-outpreventer which will retain the gas inV a well during the insertion of adrill stem or a string of casing into or drawing these from the well. y

lVhile packing devices have previously been devised for preventing theescape of gas from a well,'these have been faulty in operation owing tothe fact that there was a considerable escape of gas each time a packerwas released to permit a coupling of the casing or drill stem to passthrough the packer.

Itis a further object of lour invention to provide a blow-out preventerin which the couplings of a sectional member, such as a casing or drillstem, may be advanced through the blow-out preventer with practically noleakage of gas therefrom.

Former blow-out preventers have 'been operated by hand, which requiresthe constant attention of one man during the insertion or withdrawal ofa drill stem or a string of casing. o

It is a. still further object of our invention to provide a blow-outpreventer as set forth above, the operation of which is automatic.

It is yet another object of our invention to provide a blow-outpreventer .which is normally operated by thelpressure offltiid in thewell. l

Further objects and advantages will be omade' manifest in the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings in which a preferredembodiment of our invention is illustrated.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view diagrammatically. illustrating thepreferred embodiment of our invention. v

Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are horizontal sectional views taken on thecorrespondingly numbered lines of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the operating lever of the blow-out preventer,shown in Fig. 1, with portions thereof broken away to illustrate theinterior of the lever.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view diagrammatically illustrating amodified form of our invention.

Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are horizontal sectional views taken oncorrespondingly numbered lines of Fig. 7.

Fig. 1 1 shows a used in our invention.

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a modified form ofcasing centralizing means which may be utilized in theblow-outpreventer-of our invention. ,l

Referring specifically to the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a casing head 11, which includes a tubular body 12, thelower end 13 of which is of reduced diameter and is threaded and screwedinto a coupling 714 provided on the upper end of an outer well casing,not shown. The body 12 has a bore 15 and threaded lateralaopenings, 16which lead therefrom. Fluid conducting pipes 17 and 18 are screwed intotlie holes 16 so as to communicate withsthe b ore 15.. In Fig. 1, thepipes 17 and 18 are broken olf but the outer ends of these pipes arenormally closed by suitable fittings, not shown. The body 12is providedwith a suitable annular flange 19 a-t its upper end.

Adapted to be supported upon the casing head 11 is a blow-out preventer20, which is the preferred embodiment of our invention. The blow-outpreventer 20 has a tubular body 21 which is built up from a numberoftubular sectionsplaced-end to end, one upon the other. Each'foffthesesections has radial end flanges which are provided with a yuniformarrangement of bolt holes. This permitsabutting flanges of each pair ofadjacent sections to be secured together by bolts which effects theassembly of all thesections to form the bfody 21. These tubularsections, beginning at the bottom of the body 21, may be generallydesigflow bean check valve natedA asrfollows: an auxiliary packersection 30, a lower packer sectionl, an intermediate chamber section 32,an upper packer section 33, a control section 34, and a slip seat andcentralizing section 35.

The tubular auxiliary packer section has a central tubular wall 40,which is provided at its upper and lower ends with external radialflanges 41 and 42,-and at its lower end with an internal radial flange43. The flange 43 has an opening which is of the same diameter as thebore 15L of the "casino` head body 12. Formed in the upper face of theflange 43, adjacent its outer edge is an annular channel 45. The flange42 of the auxiliarypacker section 30 is connected to the flan e 19 ofthe casing head 11 by bolts 50. lConnecting with the tubular wall 40 isan escape valve 51, for a purpose to be described later.

Also,.connecting with the wall 40 so as to hcommunicate with the spacewithin the auxiliary packer section 30, for a purpose to be describedlater, is a fluid supply pipe 52.

Disposed within the auxiliary packer section 30 is an auxiliary packer55 which is annular in shape and has a cross-section which appears as agothic U with rectangular serhalves provided iphs and turned -upon itsside. The packer 55 thus has a central tubular wall 56 and upper andlower radial walls 57 and 58 extending therefrom. At the outer edges ofthe radial wall 57 are formed upward and downward extending annularridges 59 and' 60. At the outer edge of the radial wall 58 are formedupward and downward extending annular ridges 62 and 63'. The variousparts of the packer 55 thus form an externally exposed annular channel64. Disposed in the outer portion of the channel 64 is a' compressionring 66 which has an inner tubular wall 67 and upper and lower radialflanges 68 and 69 extending outward from the wall 67. The wall 67 isprovided with a series of openings 70, for a purpose to be describedlater. The compression ring 66' may be formed in one piece, but ispreferably in the forni of two semi-circular with suitable terminalflanges, which are connected together in a manner the ring 96 is made,as shown in Fig. 4.

The upper and lower radial flanges 68 and 69 Contact the inner surfacesof the radial packer walls 57 and 58 and are annularly reeessed toreceive the ridges 60 and 62 provided inwardlynupon the radial packerwalls 57 and, 58. When the packer 55 is placed within the tubularauxiliary packer section 30, the annular ridge 63/extends into theannular channel 45 formed in the internal auxiliary packer sectionflange 43.

Disposed immediately above the auxiliary packer section 30, thelower'packer section 31 includes a tubular wall 72 from the upper andlower ends of which radial flanges 73 and 74extend outward. From thelower end of the tubular wall 72, a radial flange 75 extends inward.Formed in the upper and lower faces of the internal radial flange 75 areannular channels 76 and 77 of the same size and diameter as theannularchane'l 45. The

flange 74 of the lower packer section 3l and the flange 41 of theauxiliary packer section 30 are connected together as by bolts 80, thuspipe 81, for a purpose to be described later.

Disposed within the lower packer section 31 is a packer v which .issimilar in shape and construction to the auxiliary packer 55. The packer85 has an inner tubular wall 86 which flares outward at its lower end.Extending outward from the upper and lower ends of the wall 86 areradial walls 87 and 88. The wall 87 has upper and lower annular ridges89 and 90 formed upon peripheral portions. Also formed on the peripheralportion of the radial wall 88 are upper and lower annular ridges 91 and92. The walls 86, 87, and 88 of the lower packer 85 thus form aperipherallyeX-posed annular recess 95. Disposed in the outer portion ofthe recess 95 is a compression ring 96 which is of substantially thesame construction as the compression ring 66, excepting that it islonger so as to fit the interior of the lower packer 85. When the packer85 is in place, the annular ridge 92 extends into the annular channel76.

Disposed immediately above the ltwer packer section 3l is theintermediate chamber section 32 which has a tubular wall 100 providedwith external radial flanges 101 and 102 at its upper and lower ends. 'Ihe flange 102 has an annular channel 103 formed in the lower facethereof, which is of sub-` stantially the same size in diameter as thechannels 45, 76, and 77, previously mentioned. The flanges 102 and 73are adapted to be secured together as by'bolts 104 so that the annularridge 89 projects into the annular channel 103. Screwed into threadedholes in the tubular wall'100 are a fluid supply pipe 105 and a fluidexhaust pipe`106, for purposes to be described.

Disposed directly above the intermediate chamber section 32 is'the upperpacker section 33 which has a tubular wall 108 having radial flanges'109and 110 formed outward from the upper andlower ends thereof. Extendinginward from the lower end of the tubular wall 108 is an internal' radialflange 112 which has an annular channel 113 formed in the upper facethereof. The flange 110 of the upper packer section 33 is adapted to besecured to the flange 101 of the intermediate chamber section 32 as bybolts 114, so as' in form and structure with the auxiliary packer 55 sothat, upper and lower annular ridges are formed on'the peripheralportions of' each of the radial walls. The upper packer 118, therefore,has a peripherally exposed annular recess 119 in which a compressionring 120, which is identical with the compression ping 66. is disposed.lVhen the packer 118 is in place, the dowermost of the annular ridgesformed thereon projects into the annular channel 113 formed in theinternal radial flange 112.

Disposed directlyabove the upper packer section 33 is the controlsection 34 which includcs a 'tubular wall 125 having radial flanges 126and 127 projecting from the upper and lower ends thereof. Formed in thelower face of the flange 127 is an annular channel 128 which is of thesame shape and diameter as the annular channel 45. The control section.is adapted to'be secured` to the upper packer section by the connectingof the flanges 127 and 109 by bolts130. When these sections are thusconnected, the uppermost annular ridge formed on the upper packer 118extends into the annular channelu 128. Formed in one side of the wall isa vertical slot 135, and extending outward on opposite sides of thisslot are fulcrum arms 136 which are preferably formed integral with lthe wall 125. On opposite sides ofthe slot are formed cam faces 137.Disposed opposite the lower portion of the cam face 137 are bosses 138,the inner surfaces of which extend parallel with the lower portion ofthe cam faces 137.

' Mounted between the fulcrum arms 13G is a control lever 140 which hasa hub 141 which is pivotally mounted upon a pin 142 which extendsthrough suitably aligned apertures provided in the hub 141 and the endportions of the fulcrum arms 136.` Extending in opposite direction fromthe hub 141 are outer and inner arms 144 and 145, the arm 144 beingprovided with a handle o146. The arm 145, as shown in Fig. 5, isprovided with an internal bore and has a cylindrical outer face 151.Slidably disposed upon the arm 145 is an actuating head 152, this headbeing ,urged off of the arm 145 by a compression spring 154, disposed inthe bore 15,0. Extending in opposite directions from the outer end ofthe head 152 are pins 155 which normally bear against the cam surface137. The oiiter end of the head 152 has a chisel point formed bv upperand lower beveled faces 157 and 158.

' Secured between the flange 127 and the head of one of the bolts 130 isa bracket 160 which ext-ends outward beneath the inner portion of thelever arm 144. Threadedly received in the outer end of thebracket 160 isa screw 161 which extends upward into the path of the lever arm 144 soas to determine the lowermost position of this arm.

Disposed above the eontrol section 34 is the slip seat and centralizingsection 35 which includes a tubular wall 165. At its Lipper end, thewall 165 flares to provide a frust-conical interior surface 166 which issuitable for the reception of slips 167. From the lowerend of thetubular wall'165,'a radial flange 168 extends outward. The slipseat andcentralizing section 35 is adapted to be secured to the control section34 bythe uniting of the flanges 168 and 126 by bolts 170. Formed in thecentral portion of the tubular wall is a series of vertical slots 172which are preferably four in ,number and which are symmetricallydisposed about the axis of the body 21. Formed integrally with the wall165 and extending outward on opposite sides of each of the slots 172 arearms 173,. Mounted between pairs of the arms 173 are rocker levers 175,each of which has an inner arm 176 provide-d with a roller 177 at itslower end and an outer forked arm 178. lVhen the levers are inhorizontal position, the rollers 177 extend inward through the slots172. 0pposite each of the lever arms 175 is provided a bracket 18()which has a securing flange 181 which is held between certain of thebolts 171) and the flange 168. Each bracket 180 provides a rod 182 whichextends upward therefrom through the forked arm 178 of an adjacentrocker lever 175. Each rod 182 has a head 184 forme-d at its upper endand nuts 185 and 186 which are provided upon the rod in such a positionas to rgidly secure the rod upon its respective bracket 180. Disposedabout each rod 182 between the forked lever arm 178, through which .itpasses, and the head 184 is a compression spring 190, and between theforked arm 178 and the nut 185 is al compression spring 191. These twocon1- pression springs exert a powerful force against the forked arm178, ten-dingl tio/keep the rocker lever175 in horizontal position.

A means for supplying fluid under pressure to the blow-out prevent-er 20is devised as follows: l

As previously stated, the outer ends of the casing head fluid pipes 17and 18 are closed... A T-fitting 200 is placed in the fluid pipe 18,a/fluid pipe 201, having a valve 202,

eads from the fitting 20() to a tlirceovav valve 203. From the valve203, a service pipe 204 connects through an elbow 205 to the pipe 1.15-,which connects with the space within the upper packer section 33.Leading from the pipe 201v is a branch 21() which connects with across-fitting 211 from which lead pipes 212, 213, and 214. The pipe 212connects with the pipe 81 which communicates with the interior of thelower packer section 31. rlhe. pipe 213 connects to one end ofl atwo-wav valve 216, v

the opposite end of which is connected to the pipe 105. The pipe 214 hasa valve 220 and connects with an auxiliarv fluid pressure pipe 221through a T 222. The T 222 also .connects with the pipe 52 which has avalve 224.

The'exhaustl pipe 106 connects with a twoway valve 226 which connectswith a main exhaust pipe 227. The main fluid supply pipe 201 has abranch pipe 228 which connects with a pressure exhaust valve 229, whichconnects through the pipe 230 with the main exhaust pipe 227. The valve203 also connects 'with an exhaust pipe 231which leads to the mainexhaust pipe 227. The valve 203 has an operating lever 235, an arm 236of which is /adapted to be held .against a stop 237, provided ou thebody of the valve, by a compression spring 238 which is connected to thearm 236 and the elbow 205. i

The lever 235 also has an arin 239 which extends in the oppositedirection from the arm 236, and is provided at its extremity with a pin240. The-three-way valve 203 is of such construction that when the lever235 is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the valve connectsthe pipe 201 with the pipe 204, but when the lever 235 is turned 90 fromthisposition, as shown by dott-ed lines 242, the valve 203 connects thepipe 204 with the exhaust pipe 231. y

The valve 226 has an operating arm 244 which closes the valve when it isin the full line position shown in Fig. 1 and which opens the valve whenthis arm is swung upward through an arc of 90. The valve 216 has anoperating arm 245 which holds the valve open when it is positioned'asshown in full lines in Fig. 1, and which closes the valve when it isswung upward through an are of 90.

Pivotally connected at its upper end to the operating lever arm 144, isa link248 which has a closed slot 249 at its lower end which is adaptedto receive the pin 240. When the operating lever 140 is in its full lineposition, as shown in Fig. 1, the pin 240 rests in the uppermost end ofthe slot 249; and when the operating lever 140is in its dash-dotposition 250, shown in Fig. 1, the pin 240 is engaged by the lower endwall of the slot 249 so as to throw the valve .operating lever 235 intoits dotted line position 242. Pivotally connecting the outer ends of thevalve levers 244 and 245 is a link 252, and pivotally connecting theouter end of the valve lever 244 and the operating lever arm-144 is alink 253. When the operating lever 140 is in its broken line position250, supporting the valve levers 244 and 245 in their upward position,the valve 216 is closed and the valve 226 is open. The operating lever140 is yieldably held in its downward position by a tension sprin g 255which is.

connected to an arm 256 which is rigidly gripped between one of thebolts 104 and the4 upper radial flange/73 of the lower packer section31.

The operation of the preferred embodiment of ourinvention is as follows:

In Fig. 1,- a casing 260 is shown extending downward through theblow-outpreventer 20 into the well, at the top of which the blow-out preventeris mounted. This casing 260 is made up of sections of ntubing which areconnected by couplings 261 one of which is shown disposed in the lowerportion of the 7U when there is gas present in the well, this gas tendsto flow up in the casing head counterbore 15 around the casing 260as thelatter is being lowered into the welt. The pressure of thisgasigenerally ranges between 200 and 2,000 pounds per square inch. Incase it is desired to operate the blow-out preventer 20 by the Huidpressure of this gas, the valve 220 is closed and the valve 202 isopened. As the normal position of the parts of the blow-out preventer 20are shown in full lines in Fig. 1,. the gas thus admitted into thesupply pipe 201 from the casing head pipe 18 flowsupward through thepipe 201, the valve 203, the pipe' 90 204, the elbow 205, and the pipeinto the interior of the upper packer section 33 and from there throughthe openingin the compression ring into the inner chamber 119 of thepacker 118. This causes the upper 95 packer 118 to expand into closecontact with the outer surface of the casing 260. The gas under pressurealso flows from the gas supply pipe 201 through the branch pipe 210,,the

- cross fitting 211, the pipe 212 and the pipe 81 10 into the interiorspace within the lower packer section 31, and from there through thecentral openings in the compression ring 96 into the central chamber 95of the packer 85.

This expands the upper portion of the packer 10-'1 85 into tight packingengagement with the casing 260. The gas under pressure also flows fromthe cross fitting 211 through'the oipe 213, the valve 216 and the. pipe105 into the intermediate chamber section 32. Thus '1 10 the packer 118and the packer 85 are both forced into sealing engagement with thecasing 260, and the chamber 107 is filled with gas at the same pressureas that which expands the packers 118 and 85.

As the casing 260 moves downward so that the coupling 261 passes intothe control section 34, the lower end of the coupling 261 contacts thecam face 157 of the lever actuat- 'ing head 152. Thus the coupling 261moves 120 the operating lever 140 from its full line position to itsbroken line position, as shown in Fig. 1. As the lever 140 approachesits broken line position 250, the pins 155 move between the lowerportion of the cam surfaces 137 and the curved bosses 138 so as to drawthe point of the actuating head 152 outward. This permits the coupling261 to pass by the point of the head 152. Asthel arm 1440i theoperatinglever 140 commences 132 85, as the its upward movement, thevalve arms 244 and 245 are swung upward so as to close the valve 216 andopen the valve 226. This stops the supply of gas to the chamber 107 andopens an exhaust therefrom -through the pipe ,into its dotted lineposition 242, thereby closing the supply of gas to the upper packersection 33', and connects this packer section with the main exhaust pipe227, through the I pipe 115, the valve 203 andthe pipe 231.

As the pressure within the packer 118 is thus lowered, lthis packerretracts from engagement with the casing 260 so as to readily permit thecoupling 261 to extend into the packer. As thecoupling 261 movesdownward into the packer 118, vit approaches the broken line position265, as shown in Fig. 1. Upon the coupling moving downward from the,position 265, the actuating head 152 is freed so that the operatinglever 140 may return to its full line position under the inliuence ofthe spring 255. During the first portion of the downward movement of theoperating lever 144, the valve lever 235 is P moved from its dotted lineposition 242 to its full line position by the spring. 238 so as to shutoff the passage between the ipe 204 and the exhaust pipe 231, and againal mit gas under pressure from the pipe 201 into the upper packersection 33, through the pipes 204 and 115. This'actuationof the Valve203 causes the expansion of the packer 118 upon the coupling 261, asthis coupling is. disposed directly within this packer. As the blow-outpreventer 20 will be constantly lubricatedI by a suitable supply ofwater, or other lubrlcant, the coupling 261 will easily slide throughthe inflated packer 118 as it continues its downward movement. With thedownward movement of the operating lever arm 144,

.the valve lever arms 244 and 245 are actuated so as to close theexhaust valve 226 and open the valve 216 sothat the gas pressure in thechamber 107 is raised to equal the pressure 1n the casing head 11 and inthe packers 118 and 85, and immediately after the y reinfiation of thepacker 118. The mamtamingbi gas under pressure in thechamber 107 duringthe further downward movement of the coupling 261 makes it unnecessaryto Ideflate the packer as under pressure in-the chamber 107. coup edwith the' gas under pressure which forces its wav upward againstthe'iaring inner surface of the lower portion of the tubular wall 86 ofthepacler 85 causes this packer to practically float between itsinternal 'and external pressuressothat the couplingA easily distends thetubular wall 86 and passes it will be retracted to a position where itwill not interfere in any way with the couplings 261 passing downwardthrough this packer. v

Thus, it is seen that the blow-out preventer 20 practically completelyretains the gas in the well outside of the small amount permittedto'escape through the exhaust pipe 227 in the operation of the device.The gas thus escaping through the exhaust ipe 227 is conducted to somesuitable place oi) storage or a location where it may be discharged intothe atmosphere without danger.

The pressure release valve 229 is provided so that in case the gaspressure in the well should rise suddenly beyond a point where it couldbe safely used in the operation of the blow-out preventer 20, therelease valve 229 would permit the discharge of al suficient amount ofgas to 'lower its pressure in the pipe 201 to a point where no dangerwould be done to the packers and 118.

The auxiliary packer 55 is provided for emergency use only, and isusually operated by an auxiliary pressure pump (not shown) whichsupplies fluid under pressure through the pipe 221 to the.valve 224. Incase it should become necessary to useA the auxiliary acker 55, it ismerely necessary to open the valve 224 which admits fluid under pressurethrough the pipe 52 into the inner cham.- ber 64 of the packer 55.Damage to the packer 55 is prevented by the pressure release valve 51,which permits the escape of iiuid yfrom the auxiliaryV packer sectionwhen the pressure of the fluid rises above a certain value.

1n case it should be desired to operate the I entire blowout preventer20 by fluid supplied under pressure to the pipe 221 from a pump,

the valve 202 should be shut and the valve 220 opened. Y

It is to be noted that the,l inside diameter of the slip-seat andcentralizing section 35 is but slightly larger than the outside diameterof the couplings 261, so that these, couplings are accuratelycentralized as they pass through this section. The centralizing of thecouplings 261 in this manner causes the sectional casing 260 therehelowto be accuratel centralized relative tothe packer throngwhich it ispassed. As each coupling 261 passes by the centralizing levers 175,these are returned to normalhorizontalposition the casing 260 isaccurately centralized at all times when passing through the'blowoutpreventer 20. l

The .packers 55., 85, and 118 are cast with the central holes thereoflarger in diameter than the outside diameter ofthe casing 260. Thiscauses the packers toI draw away from the casing when the pressure isreleased therefrom, which causes the packers to have a maximum life asthere is practically no wear on the packers when these are relaxed..Referring now to the embodiment of our invention illustrated in Figs. 7to 10 inclusive, 270 indicates a casing head which includes a tubularbody 271, the lower end of which is of reduced diameter and is providedwith threads 272 v which are screwed into a coupling 273 provided on theupper end of an outer well casing, not shown. The body 271 has a bore275 and threaded radial holes 276 which leadtherefrom. Fluid conductingpipes 278 and 279 are screwed into the holes 276 so as' to communicatewith the bore 275. While the outer ends of the pipes 278 and 279 areshown as broken off in Fig. 7, these are closed by suitable fittings.The head 270 is providedwith alsuitable horizontal annular casing flange280 at its upper end. Adapted to be supported upon the casing head 270is a `modified form of blow-out preventer 285;

The blow-out preventer 285 has a tubular body 286 which is built up froma number of tubular sections placed end to end, one upon the other, eachof these .sections has radial v end flanges which are provided with auniform arrangement of bolt holes. This permits abutting ianges of eachpair of adjacent sections to be secured together by `bolts which effectthe assembly of all the sections formed in the body 286.` These tubularsections beginning at the bottom ofthe body 286 may be formallydesignated as follows:

A lower packer section 29-0, an intermediate chamber section 291, anupper packer section 292, and a control section 293. The tubular lowerpacker section 290 has a central tubular wall 295, from the upper andlower ends of which radial flanges 296 and 297 extend outward. Extendingradially inward from the lower edge of the wall 295 is an internalradial flange 298. Formed in the upper face of the flange 298 is anannular channel 299. Provided upon the wall 295 so as to communicatewith the space therein is a iiuid pressure release valve 300. Alsoprovided on the wall 295 is a fluid supply pipe 301 which communicateswith the space within this wall.v Connecting the flanges 280 and 297 soas to rigidly Inount the lower packer section 290 upon the casing head 270 are bolts 303.

Disposed within the lower packer section 290 is a lower packer 310 whichis annular in shape and has a cross-section which has the appearance .ofa gothic U with rectangular seriphs, and turned upon its side. Thepacker 31()l has a central vtubular wall 311, the lower portion ofwhichliares outward 4and downward, and upper and lower vradial walls 312and 313 extend outward from the upper and '312 and 313 are upp lowerends of the tubular wall 311. Formed peripherallyupon each of the radialwalls l er and lower annular ridges 314 and 315; kThe walls 311, 312 and313 .of the packer'31() thus cooperate to form.

a peripherallyexposed annular channel 318. When the packer 310 isinplacein the lower packer section 290, the annular ridge 315 of the wall313 extends into the annular channel 299 formed in the flange 298.Disposed in the outer portion of the packer channel 318 is a compressionring 320 which is preferably formed.in'complementary sections 321 whichare secured together as by bolts 322. The ring 320, is tubular in shapeis perforated medially by a series of radi-al holes 323, and is providedwith' radial anges at its upper and lower ends which snugly .fit thelower outer portions of the packer wall 312 and the upper outer portionof they packer wall 313 so ams to rigidly space the inner surfaces ofthese walls when pressure is applied axially to the top and bottom ofthe packer 310.

Disposeddirectly above the'lower packer section 290 'isl an intermediatechamber section 291 which'has a tubular wall 325 from the upper andlower ends of which extend radial flanges 326 and 327. Formed in thelower surface of the.flangc 327 is an annular channel 328. Flanges 3 7and 296 are adapted to be rigidly secured together by bolts 330. Whenthe section 291 is thus assembled upon the section 290, the upperannular ridge 314 of the packer wall 312 extends into theo annularchannel 328. Formed integral with the wall 325 is an operating armhousing 332 forming a pocket 333 which communicates inwardly with acentral chamber 334 formed within the intermediate chamber section 291.

Keyed upon the shaft 336, which is journalled in suitable openingsformed in the housing 332, is an operating arm 337 having a roller 338pivotally mounted upon its inner end. Apacking gland 339 surroundsthcshaft 336 where this enters the housing 332 so as to prevent passageof gas between the shaft and the housing. Keyed upon the outer end ofthe shaft 336 is an arm 340 which is provided with a longitudinal slot341 inter mediate its endsand theouter extremity of which is bifurcatedand providednwith a pivot p-in 342 for a purpose to be described later.Tipped into a suitable hole in' the wall 325 is a uid supply and exhaustpipe 345.V Disposed directly above the intermediate chain,-

er section 291' is the upperpacker section 292 whichhas a main tubularwall 347 which is provided at its u per and lower endswith outwardextending flanges 348 and 349, and at its lflower end with an inwardextending an'ge-350. The flange 349 is adapted to be lrigidly secured tothe upper flange 326 of the intermediate section 291 as by bolts 352.-The inward extending flange 350 has an annular channel 353 formed in itsupper face.

Tapped into a suitable hole inthe wall 347 is a pressure release valve356. yExposed within the upper packer section 292 is an upper packer 360having a central tubular portion 361, from the upper and lower ends ofwhich radial walls 362 and 363 extend outward. Each of the walls 362 and363 is provided with upper and lower annular ridges 364 and 365. Thepacker360 is thus seen to be very similar in form to the packer 310 sothat the parts thereof form an outward exposed annular channel 366. Whenthe packer 360 is properly placed in the upper packer section 292, theannular ridge 365 of the lower radial wall 363 thereof extends into theannular channel 353, formed in the internal flange 350.

A centering means for the operating lever 337 includes a rod 368 whichextendsvertically through the slot 341 and the lever arm 340, and ismounted at its lower and upper 'ends upon brackets 369and 370 which aresecured to the blow-out p-reventer body 285 by certain of the bolts 330and 352 respectively. Disposed about the rod 368 between the lever arm340 and the opposite ends of this rodare coiled compression springs 371and 372. y

Disposed directly 'above the upper packer section 292 is the controlsection 293 )vhich includes a' tubular wall 375 which is provided at itsupper end with a flaring portion 376 which provides a slip seat` 377 forreceiving slips 378, and at its lower end with an out= ward extendingradial flange 380. Y The flange 380 has an annular channel-381 formed inits lower end and this flange is adapted to be secured to the flange 348of the upper packer section 292 by bolts 384 so that the upper annularridge 364l of the upper wall 362 of the packer 360 will extend into theannular channel 381 of the flange 380.

Disposed at regular intervals about the axis of the control section 293and formed in the wall 375 thereof is a numberoffvertical slots 385.These slots are preferably four in number, as shown in the presentembodiment, and

formed integral with the wall 375-and extending outward on oppositesides of each slot is a series of fulcrum arms 390. 'Pivotally mounteduponV suitable'pins 391 extending through aligned openings in'theQouterl ends of three of the series o arms 390 are cen# tralizin hasan inward extending arm 394 provided with horizontal pivoting roller 395at its inwar extremity; I On the opposite ends of the lever 392 from thearm'39f4 is formed a bifurcated' arm 396., Mountedpivotally upon a pin398, secured in suitable openings inthe extremity of the four pairs offulcrum arms 390 is a-control lever 400. The control lever 400 has aninner 'arm 401 and roller 402 identical with the' arms 394 and rollers395 of the levers 392. Each of the levers'392- easily b' lifting thevalve member 435.-

'lhe t ree-way valve 423 also connects with'y 4levers 392 and 400include rods 405 which are suitably mounted at their lower ends on,brackets 406 which are secured to the blowout preventer body 286 bycertain of the bolts 384. The rods 405 extend upward through thebi'furcated arms 396 of the levers 392 andthe slot 404 of the lever 400.Suitable abutments 407 such as may be formed by washers and nuts, areprovided upon `the upper ends of the rods 405. Provided on each rod 405between the lever arm through which it extends and theJ upper and lowerends. of the rods are coiled compression springs 410 and 411. The actionof the springs 410 and 411upon the levers 392 and 400 will be' toyieldably maintain these levers in horizontal position.

Means argI providedl for supplying fluid under pressure to the packers310,360, and the intermediate chamber 334, which means may be describedas follows:

The casing head fluid pipe 279 is provided with a fitting 415 to whichis connected a fluid supply pipe 416 having a valve 417 and which leadsto a cross fitting 418. Also leading into The bean check valve 425 isclearly il-` lustrated in Fig. 11 and includes a- 'shell' 426 enclosinga chamber 427, the opposite ends of whichare connected by a valveopening 428 from'whichV open tapped apertures 429 and l 430.` Screwedinto the aperture 429 is a pipe 424, while screwed into the aperture 430is the pipe 335. Hingedly mounted in the Vchamber 427 so as to swingdownward by gravity and close the seat 428 is a valve member 435. Tappedinto a suitable aperture in the valve memberis a flow bean 436. Thus,

luid under vvpressure in the pipevv 424 may pass through theflow beancheck vale 425 only by passing through the llow bean 436, whereas fluidmay pass in the oppositedirection very an -exhaustpipe 440. The valve423 has an operating lever 441 mounted upon the shaft thereof, therebeing pins 442 and 443 provided 'at the 'opposite extremities of thelever 441'. stretched between one of the arms ofv the lever 441 and theextremityof abracket arm 445 which is rigidly secured upon the lever 441in its broken line position 447,

shown in Fig. 7. Leading from the iu id supply pipe 421 is a branch pipe448 which connects with a bean fitting 449 which in turn connects withthe lower packer fluid supply pipe 301. lThe pipe 422 connects the iuidsupply cross fitting 418 to a three-way valve 450 which connectswith thepipe 345 and with a pipe 451-which connects with the exhaust pipe 440.The valve 450 has an operating arm 455 which, when it is in the fullline position shown in Fig. 7, closes the pipe l 422 and connects thepipes 345 and 451, and

which when is in its broken line position 456, closes the pipe 451 andconnects the pipe 422 and 345. E When in its uppermost position, thelever 455 rests against a stop 457 formed upon the body of the valve.

Pivotally mounted in its upper end on the lever 455 is a link 460 whichhas a closedl slot 461 in its lower end which is adapted to reeeive apin'462 provided on the outer end of the valve operating lever 455.,Connected to the valve operating lever 455 and the link 460 so :is toyieldably urge the pin 462 toward the upper end of the slot 461 is acoiled tension sprin g 463. end by a pin 46.5. to the outer end of theoperating lever arm 404 is a link 466 which has a.. closed slot 467 inits lower end in which the pin 442 is adapted to be disposed. Pivotallymounted at its upper end on the pin 443 is a link 470 which has a closedslot 471 formed in its lower end, in which slot the pin 342 provided onthe end of the lever arm 340 is adaptedy to be disposed.

The operation of the blow-out prevente'r 285- will be described inconnection with eX- tending a casing 480into the well over which theblow-out preventer is mounted. The casing 480 comprises sections oftubing connected by couplings 481. After afirst tubing seetion has beeninserted througoh the blow-out preventer 285, the valve417 is opened sothat a flow of Huid under pressure passes upward from the wel] into' thefluid supply pipe 416.

At this time we will assume that there is no" casing coupling exposedwithin the zone of the blow-out preventer and the centralizing levers392 and 400V will therefore be in the broken line position .482, asshown in Fig.- 7. This will permit the spring 446 to rotate the valvecontrol lever 441 into its broken line position 447. When the'lever4415s in the broken line position 447, the pipe 440 is shutt off and thepipe 42,1 is connected with the pipe `424-"so that the gas underpressure in the pipe 416 is conducted to theflow bean check valve 425through which the-gas passes in a-small stream into the recess 366 ofthe upper packer 360. This causes the expansion of the packer 360against the cesing480.` Gas under pres- Pivotally connected at itsuppersure also flows from vthe pipe 421 through its branch 448, the iiowbean fitting 4490i the pipe 301,into theinner annular chamber 318 of ingengagement With thewasin 480. When the valve lever 441 is in its bro (enline position 447, the link 460 is also in its downward position whichcauses the valve operating arm 455 to swing into its dotted lineposition 456 which, as previously described, will close the pipe 451andconnect the pipe 422 to the pipe 345. through thevalve 450 of thepipe 345 into the chamber 334 intermediate the lower and upper packers310 and 360.

As the casing 480 continues to move. downward, 'a coupling 481 will pass'through the control section 293 and contact the rollers 395 and 402 onthe inner ends of the arms394 and 401. This causes these arms to bedepressed and rocks the levers 392 and 400 into the full line positionin which they are shown in Fig. 7. After the pin 442 has been resting inthe lower end of the closed slot 467 of the link 466, this rocking ofthe lever 400 rotates the lever 441 from its dotted-line position 447 toits full line position.

haust pipe 451. After thelever 455 has left I its dash line position,and during the farther upward movement of the link 460, the spring 463is stretched and `the slot 461 slides upwardiipOn the pin462. As theoperation of valve 450 is completed, during the first part of the motionnecessary for operating the valve 423, the fluid under pressure. in theintermediate chamber 334 is exhausted prior to.

the relaxing of the upper packer 360. This rder of operations preventsan escape of gas rom the intermediate section 334, owing` to.

the relaxing of the packer 360 Continuing downward, while the. levers392 and 400 are retained in their full line position by contact of therollers 395 and 402 with the. exterior surf-.ice of the coupling 481,the. latter enters the relaxed packer 360 with case. The coupling 481has lpractically passed throuvh the packer 360, prior to the'release ofthe levers 392 and 400 so that these. will resume their normalhorizontal position. As the spring 466 draws the lever 441 into itsbroken line position 447 so that the valves 423 and This. operates thevalve 423.,so as to close the pipe 421 and connect the lower packer 310.Thus, both' the ackers are expanded by fluid pressure into tig t seal-'nav Thus, :fluid under pressure will'pass 450 again vcause theintermediate chamber 334 in theev packer 360 to again be supplied withfluid under pressure. Th-is, of course, causes the packer 300 to make afluid tight seal with the coupling 481 as this slides downward out ofthis packer. Moreover, as the coupling leaves the packer, the latterfiows inward into sealing engagement with the full tubingsection of thecasing480. The valve 'operating mechanism is now in its broken' lineposition so that the pin 342 is disposed.

in the lower end of the slot 471 formed in the link 470. Thus, when thecoupling 481 engages the roller 338 of the operating arm 337 so as torock the arm 340 upward, this will have no effect whatever upon the 1valve control system as the pin 342 will merely slide upward in the slot471. lVhen the coupling 481 passesbythe roller 338, the arms 337 and 340mounted upon the shaft 336 are returned to normal horizontal position bythe 2() pressure of the spring 372. @wing to the lower packer sectionbeing constantly supplied with fluid under pressure through the pipe448, the flow bean fitting 449, and the pipe 301, it is necessary thatthe pressurein the chamber 334 be substantially equal to the pressurewithin the packerv 310 in order to facilitate the passage of each of thecouplings 481 through the packer 310 without the deflation of thelatter. This is accomplished by the valve operating mechanism shown anddescribed herein.

The blow-out'preventer 285 is particularly designed so that the valvesthereof will be automatically operated to carry out the desired functionof the'blow-out preventer,

lwhether casing or some other sectional member be passed downward ordrawn upward.

through the blow-out preventer. The operation of the device has alreadybeen described 40 above in connection with the passing of the easingdownward into the well. The operation which takes place when the casingis drawn upward from the well will now be described.

As each coupling 481 approaches the lower 4packer 310, the intermediatechamber .334 is supplied with fluid at substantially the same )pressureas that used in inffating the packer 310 which is usually equal to thewell pressure. Owing to the flaring shape of the lower portion of thepacker 310, the coupling 481 easily passes through this packer and,continuing upward, contacts the roller 338 so as to rock the outer endof the arm 340 downward. Owing to the fact that the valve operatingmechanism was formerly at its normal position, shown .by broken lines inFig. 7

the pin 342 now rest at the bottom of the closed slot' 471, and as thearm 340 rocks downward it,'therefore, draws the link 470 with it so asto move all the valve operating mechanism exceptthe lever 400 and link466 into its full line position. With the valve operating mechanism infullnline position, the intermediate .chamber 334 is first exhaustedtermediate chamber 334 so that a complete sealing about the casing 480is continued as the coupling 481 passeson upward out from within thepacker 360.

All of the valve operating mechanism at this time is in its broken lineposition and the pin 442 is disposed in the lower end of the' slot 467inl the link 466. As the coupling 481 moves upward into the controlsection 293, it

' engages the rollers 395 and 402 of thelevers 392 and 400 so as to rockthe lever arms 394 and 401 upward. This causes the arm 404 ofthe lever400 to be rocked downward, but' owing to the position of the slot 467relative to the pin 442, the pin merely iides in the slot so that noeffectis had4 upon the valve operating mechanism by the downwardmovement of the lever arm 404. Needless to say', as the coupling 481continues upward out of range of the rollers 395 and v402,the-levers 392and 400 return to normal horizontal position under the influence ofthesprings 411.

Thus, it will be seen that a complete seal is effected by the blow-outpreventer 285 between the casing head and the casing, whether this isbeing extended into the well or drawn therefrom.

The use of flow beans in the fluid supply pipes leading tothe packers310 and 360 and the provision of pressure Valves 300 and 356 in thelower and upper packer sections respectively is for the purpose yofcontrolling the actuall pressure utilized in t-hese two packers,irrespective of the pressure in the well itself. This control 'isdesirable because often, particularly where the packers 310 and 360 arenew, the pressure inthe well is greater than necessary to effect aproper seal between the packers and the casing. Under thesecircumstances, the flow beans used are chosen and the pressure releasevalves are set so that only sufficient pressure is used in the packers310 and 360 to effect a good seal and prevent the escape of gas from thewell. In casting the packers 310 and 360, the central hole therein isformed of a smaller diameter than that of the casing which thepackersare adapted toaccommodate so that by the'use of a suitablelubricant, such as water, a fairly good seal can be maintained betweenthepackers and the casing without the use of very high fluid pressure onthe i11- terior of the packers. sAs the packers grow older, however, andbecome worn, the presand ffuid under pressure is supplied to the iiilioiso

sure used, in their expansion is increased so as to insure their makingthe proper sealb with the casing.

In quite a few cases in which a blow-out preventer might be used, thecrown block of t-he derrick is slightly off plumb so that thecasing'hangs toward vone side of the axis of the blow-out preventer.

' After a few lengths of casing have been inserted into the well, theweight of the casing is sometimes suiiicient under these circumstancesto place quite a lburden upon the centralizing levers 175 of theblow-out preventer 20, or upon the centralizing levers 392 and 400 ofthe blow-out preventer 285.

Therefore, where the crown block upon which the casing is supported isout of plumb more than a small distance, it may be desirable to use acasing centralizing device 500 which is illustrated in Fig. 12.

The centralizing device' 500 includes a suitable tubular body 501 vwhichis adapted to take the place of the slip seat and centralizing section35 of the blow-out'p'reventer 20. The tubularbody 501 has inwardlyextending annular shoulders 503 upon which rests accn tralizing ring 504which is provided with an annular channel 505 formed in the peripherythereof. The ring 504 has a central opening 506, the diameter of whichis approximately equal to the outside diameter of couplings 508 of astring of casing 509 which is being extended downward through theblow-out preventer upon which the device 500 isV provided. Threadedlyreceived in suitable openings formed in the tubular body 501 is a.series of adjusting screws 510 which extend into the channel 505 of thering 504 so as to permit rigidly fixing this ring in any desiredposition upon the shoulders 503.

As the casing 509 is advanced into the well, thering 504 is adjusted bymanipulation of the screws 510 so that it contacts tubular sections 512of the casing 509 so as to centralize the casing 509 while the tubularsections 512 are in contact with the ring 504.

In Fig. 12, the casing 509 is shown in cen-l tralized position in fulllines. When a coupling 508 en ages th ering 504, the casingV 509 isforced into the dotted line position 513 while the coupling is passingthrough the ring 504. As the sections 512 are usually 20 feet or over inlength and as the couplings 508 are but a 'few inches in length, it isclear that the casing 509 is moved out of centralized positionon'lyaVery small portion of the time that it is passing through the blow-outpreventer upon which the centralizing device 500 is used.

Oneof the principal merits of the device '500 is its relative simplicityand chcapness of construction', as well as ease of operation.

'It requires practically no attention after once havin been adjusted forhandling a given size o v caslng. l

We claim as our invention: l 1. A blow-out preventer for use in packinthe space between the upper end of a well an a sectional memberconnected by couplings which comprises:a packer; means for causing said'packer to expand into engagement with said member; and ineans operatedby movement of oneof said couplings with said member to actuate saidfirst mentioned means to cause said packer torelax to permit one of saidcouplings to extend thereinto.

2. A blow-out preventerfor use in packing the space between the upperend of a well and a sectional member connected by couplings whichcomprises: a primary packer; a secondary packer spaced therefrom;

means for causing said packers to expand plings which comprises: aprimary packer; a

secondary packer ,spaced therefrom; means for causing said packers toexpand into engagement with said member; means operated by movement ofone of said couplings with said member to actuate saidirst mentionedmeans tocause said primary packer to relax to permit one of saidcouplings to extendthereto; and means forming an intermediate pressurechamber between said packers.

4. A blow-out preventer for use in packing the space between the upperend of a well and a sectional member connected bycouplings whichcomprises: a primary packer; a secondary packer spaced therefrom; meansfor causing said ackers to expand into engagement with sald member;means operated by movement of one of said couplings with said member toactuate said first mentioned means to cause said primary packer to relaxto permit one of saidk couplings to extend thereinto; y means formingan, intermediate pressure chamber between said packers; and means forcontrolling Athe fluidpressure in said chamber.

5. A combination as in claim 4 in which the last mentioned means iscontrolled by said coupling operated means.

6. A combination asin claim 4in which the last mentioned means iscontrolled by said coupling operated means so thatI the pressure of saidchamber is reduced immediately previous to the relaxing of said primarypacker.

7. A blow-out preventer for use in packing the space between the upperend of a well'v andv a sectional member connected by couplings whichcomprises: a packer; means for causing said packer to expand intoengagement 8. A blow-out preventer for use in packing y the spacebetween the upper end of a well and a sectional member connected bycouplings which comprises: a primary packer; a secondary packer spacedtherefrom; means for causing said packers to expand into engagement withsaid member; means operated by movement of one of said 'couplings withsaid member to actliate said first-mentioned means tov cause saidprimary packer to relax to permit one of said couplings to extendtliereinto; and means for centralizing said member relative to saidpackers.

9. A blow-out preventer for use-in pacl ing the space between the upperend of a Well and a sectional member connected by couplings whichcomprises: a primary packer; a secondary packer spaced therefrom; meansfor causing said packers to expand into engagement with said member;means operated by movement of one of said couplings with said member toactuate'said first mentioned means to cause said primary packer to relaxto permit one of saidv couplings to vextend tliereinto; means forming anintermediate pressure chamber between said packers; and means forcentralizing said member relative to said packers.

l0.- A blow-out preventer for use in packing the spacebetween the upperend of a well and a sectional member connected by couplings whichcomprises: aprimary packer; a secondary packer spaced therefrom; meansfor causing said packers to expand into engagement with said member;means operated by movement'of one of said couplings with said member toactuate said first mentioned means to cause said primary packer to relaxto permit one of said couplings to extend therein/to; means forming anintermediate pressure chamber between said packers; means forcontrolling the Huid pressure in said chamber; and means for centalizingsaid'member relative to said packers.

l1. In a blow-out preventer for use in` packing the space between theupper end ofa well and a sectional member connected by couplings, thecombination of: a packer; means for causing said packer to expand intoengagement with said me/mber; and means. for centralizing said memberrelative to said packer, said last mentioned means, when contacted byone of said couplings, actuating said first mentioned means to causesaid packer to relax to permit one of said couplings to extendtliereinto.

12.`In a blow-out preventer for use `in packing the space between theupper end of a well and a sectional member connected by couplings, thecombination of: a- *primaryl packer; a secondary packer; means'iorcausing said packers to expand into engagement with said member; andmeans for-centralizing said member relative to said packers, said lastmentioned means, when contacted by lone et said couplings, actuatingsaid lirst mentioned means to cause said .primary packer to relax topermit one of said couplings to extend thereinto.v

13. In a blow-out preventer for use in packing the space between theupper end of a well and a sectional member connected by couplings, thecombination. of: a primary.

packer; a secondary packer; means orcaus mg said packers to expand intoengagement with said member; means for centralizingl said memberrelative to said packers, said last mentioned means, when contacted byone of said couplings, actuating said firstmentioned means to cause saidprimary packer to relax to permit one of said couplings to extendthereinto; and means forming an intermediate pressure' chamber betweensaid packers.

14. In a blow-out preventer for use in packing the space between theupper end of a Well and a sectional member connected by couplings, thecombination of a primary packer; a secondary packer; means for causingsaid packers to expand into engagement with said member; means forcentralizingsaid member relative to saidpackers, said last mentionedmeans, when contacted by one of said couplingsactuating saidirstmentioned means to cause said primary packer to'relax to per- 'mitone of said couplings to extend tliereinto; means forming anintermediate pressure chamber between said packers; and means ,forcontrollng the fluid pressure in said chamber actuated by saidcentralizing 'means s o that said pressure is reduced immediatelyprevious to the'relaxing of said primary packer,

15. A blow-out preventer for use in packing the space between the upperend of a well and a sectional member connected by couplings lwhichcomprises: a packer; means for causing said packer to expand intoengagement with said member; means operated by movement of one of saidcouplings with said member to actuate said first mentioned means tocause said packer to relax cto permit one of said couplings to extendthereinto; an auxiliary packer; and separate lmeans for expandwith saidmember.' 16. In a blow-out preventer for use in packing the spacebetween the upper end of a well and a sectional member connected bycouplings which comprises; a packer; means. for causing said packer toexpand into engagement with sald member; means operated by mg saidauxiliary packer into engagement movement in a given direction of one ofsaid couplings with said member to a'ctuate 4said first mentioned meansto cause said packer to relax to permit' one of said couplings to extendinto one end thereof; and means operated by movement, in anotherdirection, of one of said couplings with said member to cause saidpacker to relax to permit one of said couplings to extend into the otherend of In testimony whereof, we have hereunto 10 .set our hands at LosAngeles, California, this 28th dly of SeptemberlQuQ'.

